Continued from Healthy Diet: What to Eat and Why.

Artichokes may help prevent skin cancer and control cholesterol. Artichokes contain silymarin, an antioxidant that helps prevent skin cancer, plus fiber to help control cholesterol.

Black Beans and Kidney Beans may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Beans are high in both soluble fiber and folic acid to help lower cholesterol and decrease homocysteine levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Bok Choy may help prevent breast tumors and reduce breast cancer risk. Bok Choy contains brassinin, which may help prevent breast tumors, plus indoles and isothiocyanates, which lower levels of estrogen, and also help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Broccoli may help reduce the risk of some cancers. Broccoli is high in beta-carotene, fiber and phytochemicals that may detoxify cancer-causing substances before they have a chance to cause harm, reducing the risk of breast, colon and stomach cancers.

The same benefits are available in frozen broccoli.

Butternut Squash may help promote lung health and good vision. Like other winter squash, butternut squash is an excellent source of beta carotene and is also a very good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and manganese.

Beta carotene may help promote lung health and good vision.

Carrots help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision. Carrots are the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes.

Carrots’ antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also promote good vision.

Chili Peppers may help you lose weight. Chili peppers are rich in capsaicin, which is what makes them taste hot. They may help you lose weight by suppressing appetite and also by increasing your metabolism.